The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

Related Photos

  • Rick Barbero

    0316Kidd
March 16, 2008

Kidd overcame adversity to get Eagles to title

By Dave Morrison

CHARLESTON — That Woodrow Wilson won the state championship Saturday night, its 16th title, was only half the story in what was a strange year.

Yes, the Flying Eagles got the monkey that was South Charleston off their collective back with a 67-55 upset of the top-seeded Black Eagles.

Woodrow under coach Ron Kidd had never beaten South Charleston.

Not only did they vanquish that ghost, the Flying Eagles also beat long odds, not to mention the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 seeds.

And nobody exemplified that more than Kidd.

There is a prep coach of the year award, and all things considered, Kidd should be the hands-down winner.

First of all, the guy known as “Little Man” to his friends battled back from cancer to return to the bench earlier than even he thought he would.

Obviously, that is more serious than winning or losing a state title, when you’re talking about life.

Anyone who knows Kidd expected nothing less.

Then, the Eagles lost two of their top players, Vashawn Wood and Cameron Hallcomb, to grades.

That was a blow to the team, but Kidd regrouped the charges, and following their coach’s lead, guys like Damien Tunstalle, Travis Parkulo and Ryan Powers increased their workload.

Then the team had to battle just to get out of the sectional, going to double overtime against Riverside before Michael Fortune, the comeback player of the year for his postseason performance, nailed 9 of 9 free throws to rescue the Beckley bunch.

Then it got strange.

Kidd was told by a member of his own administration that Woodrow was designated the visiting team for the Region 5 final with Greenbrier East.

Tournament director Lee Loy said Beckley officials were plainly told the Eagles were the home team.

Because they wore the road uniforms, they were hit with five technicals before the game even started. Greenbrier East was up 9-0 before Woodrow ever touched the ball.

Makes you wonder whose side some people are on.

Think it ended there?

No.

Despite staying alive in the state tournament, Woodrow traveled back to Beckley after each win. You can almost understand Thursday, with the game ending at 9 p.m.

But after Friday’s win, which ended around 11 p.m. and the Eagles not getting out of the civic center until close to midnight?

That is crazy. The coaches were scrambling after the game trying to find somewhere for the team to eat and Kidd was making preparations to get Powers, who suffered an ankle sprain in the Capital win, to the doctor Saturday morning.

Kidd has continually come up big, time after time, despite distractions and adversity — none of it his own making. When things seemed to be conspiring against him, Kidd was at his very best. He always held his head high.

Coach of the year?

In my book, you’d better believe it.

Title or no title.

Text Only
Sports
  • Big12logo.jpg Getting to know the Big 12 Conference

    As West Virginia University moves into the Big 12 Conference, here's one place to come to find out about all of the Mountaineers new league opponents.

    April 18, 2012 1 Photo

  • WVU releases 2012 football schedule

    West Virginia University has released its football schedule for 2012.

    WVU announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the conference power Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July in time for the fall football season.
     

    February 14, 2012

  • WVU settles Big East lawsuit

    West Virginia University announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July.
    Athletic Director Oliver Luck said the terms of the deal were confidential and WVU wouldn’t release details. But Luck said no state, taxpayer, tuition or other academic dollars will be used in the settlement.

    February 14, 2012

  • Shannon leads Woodrow win; Weiford 3 keys Spartans

    February 14, 2012

  • Woodrow holds off Huntington

     It took Woodrow Wilson’s boys basketball team nearly three quarters to figure out that the backside lob was open in Huntington High’s zone.

    January 10, 2012

  • MSU hosts Rio Grande

    For the first time since 1995, Mountain State stands a little past the half-way point at the season with five losses.

    January 10, 2012

  • OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - WVU to join Big 12 Conference

    The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors have voted unanimously to accept West Virginia University as a full conference member effective July 1, 2012.  The Mountaineers will begin competing in the Big 12 beginning with the 2012-13 athletic season.

    October 28, 2011

  • Friday update: Big East notified WVU leaving for Big 12

    The Big East says it has been notified that West Virginia is leaving the conference and joining the Big 12.

    October 28, 2011

  • Cardinals force Game 7 in World Series

    After one of the greatest games in baseball history, a 10-9, 11-inning victory over Texas in Game 6 in which the Cardinals were twice within one strike of elimination.

    October 28, 2011

  • Schiano sings WVU’s praises

    It hasn’t been the year that Rutgers coach Greg Schiano envisioned.
    Not close.

    December 1, 2010